In this edition of Conversation, my guest is Dr A Michael Black, the Dean and Site Director of Lancaster Bible College, in the Greenbelt, MD campus location
From the brief biography on the campus website, you do
have an extensive time in ministry. Was being in ministry always an aspiration
of yours?
I felt a call on my life
as a boy, but could not articulate it. I
pursued becoming an accountant and ended up selling shoes and life
insurance. After a short time pursuing
my own interest, God placed the burden on my heart that I felt as boy to preach
the gospel. I answered the call and
rededicated my life back to Christ Jesus and started preparation for ministry.
So you had a moment of
“going out there” to do your own thing. How would you say you came back to
yourself and answered the call on your life?
Like I said earlier, I had decided to be a salesman for an
insurance company. Incidentally, some of my coworkers were believers, and would
share the word with me, reminding me of what I already knew. One fateful day,
as I was getting ready for work, I began rehearsing my life in my mind. I
weighed in where I was, and where I should be, and it felt really empty. Alone
in my apartment, I felt convicted, and got on my knees and rededicated my life
back to Christ
That's great! So how did you eventually transition into the call to ministry? Was it an elaborate
moment of epiphany, or as simple as a knowing awareness of what to do?
As stated, I recognized
a call on my life to minister as a boy.
It was not an elaborate moment of epiphany, but a burden I could not
escape. After acknowledging the call to
my pastor, John D. Bussey (Bethesda Baptist Church), God used my pastor to give me the next steps.
In a brief overview, especially for someone who may be in
a similar situation, could you please share how your pastor guided you?
He asked me to elaborate on how I felt the call was on
my life, and the only way I could explain it to him was it felt like a burden
in me that kept calling me. So he asked us to set aside some time to pray about it. I
think it was approximately 6 months. And during this time, I was actively
functioning in service in the church. After the allotted time, we met up to see
where my heart was. At this point, he suggested I further my education in the
call, and be trained. I searched out the various options before me, and I
chose Washington Bible College. Eventually my pastor offered an opportunity for
me to preach on a Sunday. I initially turned it down because I felt I wasn’t ready,
and he didn’t pressure me. When I finally felt I was ready, I informed him, and
he gave me a platform to preach.
That sounds very encouraging. I pray most pastors would respond similarly, and be nurturing to individuals who feel called into the ministry.
So after earning your Bachelor of Arts degree, you pursued a
Masters’ degree. What would you say was the zeal behind furthering your
education, and how would you empathize that to the young man/woman reading this
and rationalizing that a first degree is good enough?
I must tell you that after six months into my Bachelor of
Arts Degree at Washington Bible College, I felt like there was so much more
knowledge to obtain. Therefore,
furthering my education was not in question. It was a thirst for more knowledge and
a desire to be equipped to minister the Word effectively. I always encourage young people to continue
beyond the first degree. In today’s
world a first degree is equivalent a high school diploma, in my opinion.
You are right, Dr Black, a first degree seems pretty commonplace today.
In your academic pursuit, when did you know you had
attained the degrees you needed? Is there a sense of knowing that one comes to when one has achieved their academic goal?
I have not attained the
degrees I want. However, I do have what
is needed to serve in ministry. With
that said, I desire to have a PH.D, ED.D or D.MIN. The education process never
ends. I believe in continual education
even if you are not able to pursue a degree.
Continual education!
How many degrees do you have, and what would you list as
your accomplishment academically speaking, if you don’t mind me asking?
I have two earned degrees along with doctoral studies and
one honorary doctoral degree.
You have been in pastoral ministry in several churches.
How would you explain the balance between getting a theological degree versus
being a passionate and charismatic leader who speaks a language that seems to
resonate with the people to create a following?
There once was a saying, “get the learning with the
burning.” I don’t want an oral surgeon
working on my mouth who has not demonstrated the discipline of learning the
skill. Therefore, it is imperative that leaders prepare themselves. I believe every preacher should
have scholarship in their preaching.
You have 35 years in pastoral ministry, and have probably
seen and experienced a lot. How different is it being a pastor now dealing with
“new world” or modern day issues that we are all still trying to grasp our
minds around and understand?
Are you actively pastoring a church now?
The world and its issues today are not different from the
Garden of Eden. What I mean is that the
same sins and issues of life that existed since the biblical days are still
prevalent. The world is just doing it
faster because of the modern technology.
I believe pastors are called to give meaning, purpose,
and direction to the total human journey.
I believe the pastors of the New Testament had the same call on their
lives.
I do not pastor currently. Since becoming Dean and Site Director at
Lancaster Bible College and Capital Seminary and Graduate School two years ago,
I have served two churches while the pastor was on Sabbatical leave.
What words of wisdom would you share to the young
graduate, excited to go out and dive into ministry?
A graduate should be excited to launch out into
ministry. Along with the excitement,
seek God’s guidance and allow God to use you as His instrument. Sometimes we lose focus and depend upon our
skills and knowledge rather than God.
I’ve mentioned young enthusiasts, but we both know LBC is
especially flexible for older professionals who are interested in pursuing
undergraduate and graduate degrees. Can you please elaborate to readers who may
think that opportunity has passed, how LBC can make their academic hopes a
reality?
Not taking into consideration that you are the Dean, why
should someone explore LBC as a place for their academic pursuits?
A student will experience academic excellence and support
of faculty and staff. LBC|Capital offers
the highest standard of Christ-Centered higher education that is recognized
nationally. This is an interesting fact,
LBC tied for first place in the “Right Choice” category in The Wall StreetJournal’s College Rankings in 2019—meaning that when the media outlet surveyed
our students, they agreed that LBC|Capital was the right choice for them and
they’d choose LBC if they had to start over again.
Wow! That's very impressive and worth applauding! I definitely can attest that LBC has been very compatible with my adult life.
Are you open to outreach opportunities of orientation in
the community regarding LBC? Who should potential entities reach out to in
exploring this?
I am open to outreach opportunities in the
community. It is a strong belief that we
should not only provide a solid education, but we should also touch the
community with the Good News of the gospel.
I will be happy to talk with any entity about opportunities.
You are a family man, married for 34 years. What words of
wisdom would you provide to a potential student, trying to come to terms with
juggling the pressures of marriage, a professional career or ministry, and
considering attending LBC?
I would encourage one to involve the family in the
decision of attending school; particularly making sure everyone is supporting this important educational pursuit.
It is also important that one prioritizes tasks and remains focused on the
major tasks.
Yes sir! That point cannot be overstated! Lord help me! Lol.
You have 3 children you’re obviously proud of. How did
you avoid the “Pastor’s Kids” syndrome that seems to plague some families with
parent’s in ministry?
Kenneth, I cannot say that I avoided the “PK”
syndrome. My children are not perfect,
but they love the Lord with their heart, soul and mind. I am proud of them. I wish I had done more with them.
I'm sure your kids would say you did a very good job raising them.
What do you see yourself doing 5 or more years from now? Are there any goals you see yourself pursuing?
What do you see yourself doing 5 or more years from now? Are there any goals you see yourself pursuing?
I see myself still serving LBC Capital in the next five
years. I want to be the best servant for
Jesus wherever He places me.
Amen to that, Dr Black, amen to that indeed.
It has been a pleasure having this “brief” conversation with you. Do you have any parting sage words for the readers?
Be Steadfast, Immovable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians
15:58)
Thank you sir, it was an honor.
Likewise, Kenneth. Thank you
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